At a pre-Grammy event, Mariah Carey delivered a powerful message on the challenges she faced in breaking away from industry standards to create music true to her heart. At the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective event in Los Angeles, Carey and Lenny Kravitz were honored with the Global Impact Award for their remarkable achievements. Carey highlighted the struggles she faced, noting the lack of encouragement to focus on her love for Black music. She emphasized the importance of unveiling her authentic self and creating music that brought a new sense of freedom and fulfillment.
Stevie Wonder presented Carey with the award, expressing love and gratitude for their friendship. Tribute performances to Carey included renditions of her songs by Tori Kelly, Yolanda Adams, and Busta Rhymes. Babyface reminisced about co-writing a song with Carey and shared Aretha Franklin's compliment that Carey was "one of the good ones."
Kravitz, honored earlier in the show, spoke of his influences and the privilege of being part of the musical lineage. Performers, including George Clinton and Quavo, paid tribute to Kravitz by performing some of his greatest hits. The event showcased a celebration of musical excellence, personal stories, and the profound impact of Carey and Kravitz on the music industry.
